The Patriots made only four selections in the 2017 NFL entry draft, the lowest total in the Bill Belichick era. The small number of picks was due to several transactions made in the pre-draft process to add veteran talent to the roster. The Patriots actually added more players to their team through draft pick swaps (five) than draft picks alone (four). Consequently, any review of the Patriots draft wouldn’t be complete without factoring in their other moves. Below is a compilation of all of the Patriots players acquired this off-season using their draft picks:
1st Round, Trade with New Orleans Saints: WR Brandin Cooks
2nd Round, Trade with Carolina Panthers: DE Kony Ealy
3rd Round, 83rd overall: DE Derek Rivers (Youngstown State)
3rd Round, 85th overall: OT Antonio Garcia (Troy)
4th Round, 131st overall: DE Deatrich Wise Jr (Arkansas)
4th Round, Trade with Indianapolis Colts: TE Dwayne Allen
5th Round, Trade with Kansas City Chiefs: TE James O’Shaughnessy
5th Round, Restricted Free Agent from Buffalo Bills: RB Mike Gillislee
6th Round, 211th overall: OT Conor McDermott (UCLA)
Patriots 2017 Draft Grade: 10/10
New England Patriots 2017 NFL Draft Review
Best Player: Brandin Cooks
This is a hands-down pick. It would be impressive if anyone the Patriots added this off-season could outperform wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Cooks is a three year veteran who joins the Patriots from the Saints at the age of just 23. He has had a productive career so far, receiving at least 70 targets in each of his first three seasons and eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving in each of the last two. Cooks is a speedster who ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes ever for a wide receiver (2014 NFL combine). There is little doubt the Patriots will be able to work Cooks into their prolific passing offense.
Head-Scratcher: James O’Shaughnessy
It was surprising to see the Patriots add another tight end to the mix considering the current depth on their roster. Prior to their pick in the fifth round the Patriots shipped their selection to the Chiefs in exchange for a sixth round pick and tight end James O’Shaughnessy. He joins a crowded position group with roster locks Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen, in addition to monster tight ends Rob Housler, Matt Lengel, and Michael Williams. The latter three are each at least 6’5″ and 250 pounds. O’Shaughnessy is a different style tight end at 6’4″ and 245 pounds. He is more in the mold of A.J. Derby who the Patriots traded last season when he struggled to find consistent playing time.
The Steal: Derek Rivers
Of course it is too early to know for certain if a player is truly a “steal” or not but the prime candidate is Youngstown States defensive end/outside linebacker Derek Rivers. Albert Breer has already reported there was was hand-wringing by scouts over the Patriots mid-third round selection of Rivers and it is easy to see why. Rivers was a productive four year player, albeit at a small school. Concerns about the competition level were lessened when Rivers had a good showing at the Senior Bowl. And his raw-ability was on display at the combine. He was a top five performer amongst defensive linemen in each of the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, and 3-cone drill. (Steal Honorable Mention to Dwayne Allen – acquired along with the sixth round pick in exchange for just a forth rounder.)
The Surprise: Mike Gillislee
It was surprising to see the Patriots sign restricted free agent running back Mike Gillislee to an offer sheet. When his former team, the Buffalo Bills, declined to match the offer the Patriots forfeited a 5th round selection. The interest in Gillislee is not surprising but what it means for the rest of the roster is. With five other running backs already on the team the signing essentially ends the tenure of running back LeGarrette Blount with the Patriots. Blount scored a league high 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016 and had several notable big games in his Patriots career. It is surprising to see him moving on when he has made it clear he wants to return. The move signals an effort to get younger at the position (and possibly to add more versatility, too).
Most Likely To Turn Heads In Training Camp: Antonio Garcia
Cooks speed and workout habits are well known, so even though he is sure to impress it would hardly be a surprise. Massive offensive tackle Antonio Garcia out of Troy has a chance to turn heads in camp with his combination of size, 6’6″, and incredibly quick feet. Garcia was likely drafted with an eye towards 2018 when stalwart left tackle Nate Solder sees his contract expire, but the athleticism Garcia displays in such a big man could catch the coaches eye once the pads come on in camp.
The Rest:
Tackle Conor McDermott out of UCLA stands at 6’8″ and is the second biggest player on the team. Deatrich Wise has long arms (over 35″) and big hands (10.5″) and he tested well at the combine. In the defensive line group he was a top performer in the vertical jump, long jump, and 3-cone drill. And he has a mentor on the Patriots already, former Razorback Trey Flowers. Defensive end Kony Ealy was acquired with a third round selection by trading out of the second round. He was a breakout star in Super Bowl 50 with three sacks and figures to factor into the Patriots defensive line rotation heavily from day one.
Bottom Line:
The Patriots are returning 46 players from their Super Bowl 51 championship roster. They have won two of the last three Super Bowls and have an overall record of 45-11 in the last three seasons. That record adjusts to an even more impressive 42-6 if you remove the end of their 2015 schedule where they were severely injured and just not the same team (10-0 start, 3-5 finish). This team is ready to win now, and Bill Belichick knows it. With the cap room to absorb some contracts the Patriots were aggressive in adding veteran talent to their roster instead of relying on inexperienced draft picks. The additions of Cooks, Allen, Ealy, and Gillislee have positioned the team to make another run at the title. Anything they get in 2017 from their actual draft picks is just a bonus. Every Patriots fan has to be happy with that.
